8 Food Stocks to Eat Up Today

by Louis Navellier | April 19, 2012 7:00 am

8 Food Stocks to Eat Up Today

Food stocks aren’t very interesting and aren’t very volatile. But for many investors, this is a big selling point. Why chase high-risk growth stocks when you can keep your money safe in a sleepy consumer stock that has big brand power – and frequently a plump dividend to boot?

I watch more than 5,000 publicly traded companies with my Portfolio Grader[1] tool, ranking companies by a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. And this week, eight food stocks to buy.

Here they are, in alphabetical order. Each one of these stocks gets an “A” or “B” according to my research, meaning it is a “strong buy” or “buy.”

Campbell Soup (NYSE:CPB[2]) is a manufacturer and marketer of convenience food products. Year-to-date, CPB stock has posted a gain of 2%. Campbell’s stock gets a “B” grade for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past months and an “A” grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of CPB stock[3].

General Mills (NYSE:GIS[6]) is a global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods. IN the last 12 months, GIS stock is up 5%. General Mills stock gets a “B” grade for sales growth and an “A” grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of GIS stock[7].

H.J. Heinz (NYSE:HNZ[8]) is best known for its lines of ketchup, condiments and sauces. HNZ has posted a return of 4% since last April. Heinz stock gets a “B” grade for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, a “B” grade for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past months and an “A” grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of HNZ stock[9].

Hershey (NYSE:HSY[10]) is a producer of chocolate and sugar confectionery products. HSY stock is up 9% in the last year. Hershey stock gets a “B” grade for operating margin growth, a “B” grade for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past months and an “A” grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of HSY stock[11].

Kellogg (NYSE:K[12]) is primarily involved with ready-to-eat cereal and convenience foods. In the last 12 months, Kellogg has gained 6%. K stock gets a “B” grade for earnings growth, a “B” grade for earnings momentum and an “A” grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of K stock[13].

Sara Lee (NYSE:SLE[16]) is best known for its bakery and dessert products. SLE is up 17% in the last 12 months. Sara Lee stock gets a “B” grade for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past months and an “A” grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of SLE stock[17].

Get more analysis of these picks and other publicly-traded stocks with Louis Navellier’s Portfolio Grader[18] tool, a 100% free stock-rating tool that measures both quantitative buying pressure and eight fundamental factors.